Page 166 of Crimson Promises
In the dimly lit room, I found myself in an unexpected moment of vulnerability. This game of billiards, which had started as a light-hearted way to gain Lucifer’s trust, had gradually transformed into something much more significant, a subtle dance of words and glances. My heart raced. I chalked it up to trepidation about what I had to do. Nothing to do with the handsome Devil before me.
A thin smile played at the corners of his lips as he leaned in, his eyes fixed on mine.
"Tell me, Aurora," Lucifer began, his voice smooth as velour. "Have you ever contemplated the limitless possibilities that lie beyond a mortal existence?"
His question hung in the air. I took a deep breath, fighting the swell of curiosity that threatened to consume me.
"Not really," I replied, my voice rising an octave. He couldn’t know that the last few weeks I had considered what my life would be like if I didn’t remain mortal. "While earth is not perfect it's also filled with beauty, love, and life. I've found solace and purpose there. It was where my family and my friends are. It’s where I will live out my life. It is my home." My cheeks warmed. I refused to reveal my hand to the enemy.
A flicker of intrigue danced in Lucifer's eyes. "Ah, solace and purpose, both of which sound extremely fulfilling,” he mused. "But can they truly compare to the allure of power and immortality? Imagine, Aurora, a life where you hold the keys to worlds unimaginable, where your every desire can be fulfilled."
I studied his face, searching for any hint of insincerity, but I only found a genuine conviction. The temptation was undeniable, and a part of me couldn't help but be seduced by the notion of boundless power.
Yet, deep within, a voice of reason echoed. It whispered reminders of my father, Ben, Jean, Connor, and the home I had begun cultivating in Arch Cape. The sacrifice my mother made so I had a chance to live the life I chose. It reminded me that true power lay not in dominion over others but in love.
I swallowed, buying myself a moment to gather my thoughts. "Lucifer," I said, my voice steady but laced with uncertainty, "There is appeal in what you offer. But there is a saying in the mortal world, ‘absolute power, corrupts absolutely,’ and as much temptation as there is in what you are presenting, I mean no offence when I say it would leave me hollow and discontented.”
He leaned back in his chair, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. “Brilliant and gorgeous.” His gaze lingered longer than necessary on the scoop of my simple black dress. “Aurora, you possess a wisdom beyond your years.”
My jaw dropped slightly from what I heard of Lucifer and his notorious pride. His praise was not what I had expected.
As the balls cracked and rolled across the billiard table, I found myself increasingly drawn into a world beyond the green felt. I was surprised and intrigued by the version of The Devil I encountered.
Lucifer pivoted towards lighter topics. His eyes, alight with a mischievous glint, seemed to dance as he recounted tales of his escapades across various realms, drawing out our game. The stories were fantastical, filled with intrigue and adventure, painting a picture of a universe far more complex than I had ever imagined.
I found myself leaning in, captivated. His voice, smooth and resonant, wove tales that made the very air around us seem to hum with the energy of unseen worlds. He spoke of celestial conflicts, of the intricacies of power plays among beings I had only heard of in myths.
Laughing at one of his witticisms, I reached out to playfully swat his arm. It was an instinctive, human reaction, and the sound of his deep chuckle in response made my heart skip a beat.
As the evening wore on, our conversation delved into debates, each of us challenging the other's perspectives. We traversed topics from philosophy to the arts, from the nature of power to the intricacies of human emotion. His insights were sharp, often punctuated with a dry humor that caught me off-guard, eliciting laughter and further curiosity.
When I successfully made a difficult shot, I couldn't contain my excitement and impulsively high-fived Lucifer.What am I doing? All part of the plan I reminded myself.Soothing my erratic pulse.
I relished the thrill of this intellectual sparring. There was a dynamic energy in our exchange, a meeting of minds that I hadn't experienced before. Ben was everything I had known and loved, but this was a different realm, a different kind of connection. I had never been so captivated and challenged by someone's mind.
I was lining up for a crucial shot, one that required precision and finesse. As I bent over the table, cue stick in hand, I felt a sudden rush of uncertainty. My hands trembled slightly, betraying a momentary loss of confidence. It was more than just the pressure of the game; it was the weight of the night, the intensity of our conversation, and the unspoken emotions swirling between us.
Before I could recalibrate, my shot went awry, the cue ball veering off course with a disappointing thud. A frown creased my forehead as I stepped back, feeling a rare defeat.
Then, I felt his presence behind me. Lucifer moved closer, his approach silent but palpable. "May I?" he asked softly, his voice a gentle rumble in the quiet room.
I nodded, stepping aside to give him space. He leaned over the table, his hand gently adjusting the angle of my cue stick. I couldn't help but notice the warmth radiating from him, a stark contrast to the cool demeanor he usually projected.
In that close proximity, something shifted. A spark of connection passed between us. Briefly, I turned my gaze to meet his. Our eyes locked. It was a fleeting moment, yet it felt like time had stretched, allowing me to glimpse beneath Lucifer's enigmatic surface.
I saw it then – the loneliness that lurked in the depths of his eyes, a reflection of my own. It was a silent acknowledgment of the isolation that comes with being misunderstood, with carrying burdens that others cannot see. I could feel his breath against my cheek, a soft whisper against my skin that made me momentarily forget the game.
His hand guided the cue stick, and together we completed the shot, the balls rolling smoothly across the table. As he straightened up, our eyes met, and I saw something else there – a yearning.
For a moment, we stood there, locked in a gaze that spoke volumes. Words were unnecessary; the understanding was clear. We were two souls, each grappling with our own demons, each seeking a respite in a world that often felt too constricting.
Then, as if breaking the spell, Lucifer stepped back, his usual composed demeanor returning. "Better," he said with a small smile, the moment of vulnerability tucked away like a secret.
Lucifer revealed a glimpse of the entity behind the title of The Devil. He was complex, a tapestry of light and shadow, wisdom and wit, power and vulnerability.
It was easy to see why so many decided to join Lucifer’s side. His charisma and charm were unmatched, but his genius was his most impressive asset.
I should find his attention repulsive. Instead, I saw him as an enigma that landed in the haze of gray. Could he, too, be misunderstood? I gnawed on my lip.
